Two Pieces

It’s been a week since Rylee and Matt found out they were expecting a baby girl. The couple announced the news with pink cupcakes. Then the rest of the day was spent with stories and good laughs. For Rylee, it felt as if things were back to normal. She was truly happy that day and she honestly never wanted it to end. But it did and now things are back to the new norm. Her and Matt are cuffed at the wrist, sitting on the couch. Yes, Jimmy’s handcuff plan is still going on. It’s an odd way for Matt and Rylee to connect, even if they both think it’s a pain in the ass.

“Ryles, move your arm up some,” Matt commanded as he tried to eat his taco.

Rylee huffed and repositioned her, now sore, arm. Matt was on his fourth taco and Rylee was growing tired of moving her arm up and down. Curse Brian and Zacky for bring back Taco Bell.

“Dude, she’s gonna snap in a few minutes. I can see it,” Brian said, laughing.

Matt stopped chewing and looked over at his wife with a sly smile. Then he saw what Brian was talking about and busted out in laughter.

“You all good, babe?” he asked, already knowing she was irritated. He was told to never mess with a pregnant woman but he found it amusing. Or so he thought.

“My arm is tired, dipshit. Hurry up and finish so I can eat,” Rylee growled.

Jimmy and Brian were hunched over in laughter at the fearful look on Matt’s face. He scarfed down his last two tacos, and then gently rubbed her stomach, trying to calm her.

“What would my girls’ like for lunch today?” Rylee’s stomach growled as a new craving suddenly came to mind.

“We can go for toast, grape jelly and cheese.”

She giggled at the guys’ scrunched up faces.

“You’re kidding right?” Brian asked.

“No. She’s serious, man,” said Matt.

Rylee rolled her eyes as they continued to talk about her gross cravings, as if she wasn’t sitting there. She waited patently until another hunger pain hit her. That was all it took for her to snap.

“Someone make me something, for fucks sake!”

All three men froze and looked over at her with fright. Jimmy scrambled into action.

“Brian, put the bread in the toaster oven while I get the cheese and grape jelly.”

Matt sat quietly, not wanting to piss her off anymore than she already was, and watched his best friends make his wife’s latest craving. Ten minutes later, Brian handed her a plate with two toasted jelly and cheese sandwiches’. “Here ya go, Ryles. Anything else?”

Rylee took the plate and whispered a thank you before thinking about what she wanted to drink.

“I’ll have water, please.”

Brian nodded.

Rylee took a bite of her first sandwich and groaned in satisfaction. It tasted exactly as she imagined. Matt relaxed seeing his wife happy again. It’s times like these that make him truly grateful for his best friends.

“How is it?” he asked, moving his cuffed arm up and down as she took bites.

Rylee gave a thumb up with her free hand and grinned. Matt laughed. He watched as she balanced the plate on her protruding belly. She was becoming a pro to the whole pregnancy thing and he was quite proud. He also couldn’t help but notice how good she looked. She was makeup free and still glowing. Could it be from the improvements in their relationship? He didn’t know for sure.

“Matthew!!”

Matt snapped out his thoughts at the sound of her voice.

“Yeah, babe?”

“You were staring at me. Is there something on my face,” she asked, wiping around her mouth.

Matt chuckled.

“No. I was just thinking about how beautiful you are and how much progress we’ve made so far.”

Rylee blushed. He hasn’t complemented her in weeks.

“Aw! Thanks, sweetie.”

She didn’t want to comment on the progress they’ve made, though. Yes, she agrees they’ve made a bit of progress, but she doesn’t want to jinx it.

“It’s 3 o’clock. Time to set you jailbirds free,” said Jimmy, walking over with the small key and unlocking the cuffs.

The couple let out a sigh of relief and rubbed their wrists.

“Sweet freedom,” groaned Matt.

“Gosh. Am I that bad to be with?” joked Rylee.

Matt smirked.

“Naw, I love being bound to you.”

He moved closer to her and whispered in her ear, “infact, I can think of other ways to use those handcuffs.”

Rylee blushed hard and giggled. She would be lying if she said she wasn’t sex deprived. She was sure Matt was as well but sex would have to wait a little while longer. She still needs time. Selfish? Yes. But she can’t risk anything at this point.

“Rylee? Are you doing laundry today?” asked Johnny, breaking up the couple’s sexual tension.

Matt turned around slowly and scowled at the shorter man.

“What? Did I interrupt something?” he asked, confused.

“Nope,” replied Rylee.

Matt frowned at her response. With slight struggle, she got up from the couch and dropped her plate in the sink. Matt walked by, mumbling something about fining Jimmy. Johnny stood patiently, waiting to hear if she was doing laundry or not.

“Yeah, I’ll do laundry. Just tell the guys to fill the clothes bag before sound check and I’ll take care of it.”

Johnny smiled. “Thanks, Ryles.”

____________

Rylee grunted as she lifted the laundry bag and plopped it down on top of the washing machine. Luckily there was a Laundromat close by the venue. She hummed as she sorted out the darks from the lights. Once she was done, 5 washers were running. She grabbed the empty bag and made her way to the sitting area. There were 2 tables available as a man already occupied one. Rylee thought for a second before walking over to the table. Was this guy a serial killer? With the way her back felt, she didn’t give a shit. She needed to sit and relax after lugging around that laundry bag.

“Hi.”

Rylee glanced over at the man. He looked young. Maybe in his lower twenties, twenty-four at most. His face had light scruff and a beanie was fitted on his head. He smiled, showing pretty white teeth.

“Are you shy?” he asked when Rylee didn’t respond to his greeting.

Rylee relaxed at his friendly stance and finally started talking, “Not really. I’m Rylee, by the way.”

The guy grinned once more and walked over to her table. He held out his hand for her to shake.

“I’m Ryan. Nice to meet you.”

She watched as his gaze shifted to her pregnant belly.

“And who do we have here?”

Rylee chuckled.

“A baby girl. Just found out the gender last week, so no name has been picked out yet.”

“Ah, I see,” he simply stated.

“Mind if I sit here?”

Rylee shook her head.

“Nope. I can use some company.”

He laughed, “I’m on laundry duty too. So I know the feeling.”

Rylee nodded.

“Are you from around here?” she asked out of curiosity.

“Nope. I’m on tour with a band. I’m their roadie.”

Rylee perked up hearing this.

“Oh! You must be with the band that opens for Avenged Sevenfold.”

Ryan’s face lit up at the mentioning of the popular metal band.

“I am. You a fan?”

Rylee laughed, “I am. But my husband is actually the lead singer.”

Ryan forced a smile.

“Well damn. I’m talking to Rylee Sanders. I feel so cool now,” he said in a joking tone.

Rylee rolled her eyes, “Don’t get smart with me.”

“But seriously, it’s an honor to meet such a beauty.”

Rylee’s smiled disappeared. “Are you hitting on me?”

Ryan snickered, “Nope. Not at all.”

Rylee gave him a suspicious side glance.

“Seriously. Scouts honor!” he said, raising his hands in defense.

“Fine. Just making sure," she said.

Conversation paused while Rylee took a check-up call from Matt. When she got off the phone, Ryan resumed conversation.

“So, are you free tomorrow? My friend and I are going to lunch on the Jersey Boardwalk. Be cool if you tagged along.”

Rylee thought about his offer. It doesn’t hurt to make friends on tour. He seemed friendly enough to her. “Sure! I’ll meet you guys there.”